Southamptons Lee returns to FC Tokyo

14 February 2013 08:16

Japan international striker Tadanari Lee will return to FC Tokyo on loan from Southampton for the rest of the season.

The 27-year-old forward, who struck the winner in Japan's 1-0 victory over Australia in the final for a record fourth Asian Cup in January 2011, has been sidelined for much of the season with injuries and is yet to appear in the Premier League this season.

"I decided to move to FC Tokyo for half a year from Southampton. I thought about many things and I made the decision. I will do my very best for FC Tokyo and try to improve myself and the team," said Lee in a statement.

Lee, a fourth-generation ethnic Korean, moved up from FC Tokyo's under-18 team to the top side in 2004 before gaining Japanese nationality in February 2007.

He has scored 42 goals in 147 games in the J-League first division, three goals in six games in the AFC Champions League, and one goal in seven games in the Emperor's Cup.